Wanyama absence no advantage for Ghana – Appiah

Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah fears the absence of star man Victor Wanyama for Kenya could complicate matters for his side than it being a relief.

Tottenham Hotspur refused to release the midfielder and Harambee Stars captain for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier due to concerns over his fitness for such a high-competitive match.

Speaking to reporters after Ghana’s training at the match venue – Kasarani stadium – Friday afternoon, coach who is familiar with Wanyama’s potential replacement Anthony Akumu, having worked with him at former club Al-Khartoum said:

“No actually, because with him [Wanyama], at least I know him but with another person there, I don’t know what to expect.

“African coaches should move from that aspect of sticking to one particular team for years. The more you do that the more you destroy the team for the future. It is important to keep changing and bring in new ones to give them an opportunity,” the tactician offered.

Kenya a decent side

The Black Stars coach is coming up against French tactician Sebastian Migne for the third time in about a year. Migne frustrated Ghana’s 2018 World Cup bid when he led Congo to snatch a famous 0-0 draw in Kumasi but saw his side walloped in the reverse match few days later.

Coming up against Migne now with the East Africans, Appiah is showing signs of picking some lessons from the past.

“I believe football has come of age and for that reason you cannot underrate anyone,” he said.

“Kenya has a good team and it’s important that playing against them we prepare well. They have supporters and everything behind them but we are coming to give them a good game.

“I have watched some few games and I think Kenya have a good team. It’s a matter of giving the coaches and players support and I believe they can do much better,” Appiah added.